Daniel Leader

Daniel Leader is a Barrister and Partner at Leigh Day’ international law department. He specialises in group actions, international human rights and environmental law.

Extensive experience of litigation against parent companies, complex group actions and mass tort claims, as well as cross-border disputes and jurisdictional issues. Recent cases include Okpabi v Royal Dutch Shell plc [2021] UKSC 3 and Lungowe v Vedanta plc [2019] UKSC 20, which concern jurisdiction in cross-border parent company liability cases. Other recent parent company liability cases include AAA v. Petra Diamonds [2022], AAA v. Camellia plc [2021], Rihan v Ernst & Young Global Ltd [2020], AAA v. Unilever plc [2018].

Other cases include AAA v Gemfields [2019], Bodo Community v. Shell [2015], the “Mau Mau Litigation” [2013], the Baha Mousa Inquiry [2011].

BA, Oxford University (First class), LLM in International Law, UCL (Distinction).

Member of the Steering Committee of the comparative law project on civil liability for human rights violations at Oxford University.

Extensive professional experience in Africa and has lived and worked in Kenya and Congo (DRC). In 2001 he was awarded the Bar Council’s Pro Bono Award for his work in Africa.